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Scribe, ex-IAF man held for extortion
Advocate’s house looted in Noida
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Students stump candidates with ‘queer’ issues
Students learn to survive in corporate jungle
NGO demands CBI probe into toilet scam
IT research centre opens
Shabana to crusade for cause of SOS children
Paint the town red at Leisure Valley!
Drive to replace bad meters
Housing complex for Group ‘D’ employees
Walkathon: Bridging the generation gap
Students hold Vice-Principal captive
Nine-year-old electrocuted
Capital might soon have feel
of winter
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Scribe, ex-IAF man held for extortion
New Delhi, October 29 On September 30, the complainant, Virender Kumar Jain, informed the police that some people were threatening him and asking him to cough up Rs 20 lakh. However, before the police could nail him, Ranjit Kumar Misra, 26, had already left Delhi for Bihar. A team was sent to Bihar, where the police learnt that Ranjit was scheduled to meet one of his associate in Delhi and, accordingly, the police laid a trap and arrested the accused from Sector-14, Dwarka. The police recovered an Italian pistol and live cartridges from his possession. At Ranjit’s instance, the police arrested another accused, Pramod Kumar, and recovered live cartridges from his possession too. During investigations, it was revealed that Ranjit had done his graduation and post-graduation from Ram Lal Anand College of Delhi University. Thereafter, he joined a leading newspaper in Delhi as a reporter.
He worked there from 2000 to 2002. The police have seized a press I-card
from his possession. He had also taken the graduate-level examination for
other students. Pramod Kumar, the another accused, had done his 10+2 and joined Airforce in 1998. After one and a half years, he left IAF. In 2000, he took admission in BA in Delhi University and also took up training in computer application. Presently, he is doing MA (English) from Himachal University. In 2004, he imparted training to DIET students and opened his own institute in Palam and Kapashera and dubbed it the Surya Institute of Teacher Training. During interrogation, the accused revealed that with the
extorted money they wanted to open an institute for candidates who were likely to appear in the
DIET examination.
Four arrested
The Delhi Police claims to have arrested four persons on the charge of planning a dacoity in Okhla industrial area. The accused have been identified as Shyam Kumar Yadav (26), Yusuf (22), Brij Kishor (24) and Bihari Singh. The police have recovered Rs 20 lakh from their possession. During investigation, the police learnt that the accused were new to the area. They did not have any permanent house to live in and behaved like vagabonds. The police said that they have recovered a country-made pistol and a button-actuated knife from the accused. One of the accused, Shyam Kumar Yadav, had passed metric level examination with 73 per cent marks.
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Advocate’s house looted in Noida
Noida, October 29 The criminals seemed to have done a detailed study of the house as a hidden cupboard in the bathroom had also been ransacked. Incidentally, thieves have targeted Sector-15 for the second consecutive day, causing panic all around. Surprisingly, the loot took place on the second floor of the room in the afternoon when Bhargava’s daughter-in-law Shalini had gone down to have lunch with her in-laws on the ground floor. The first floor has been rented to tenants. When Shalini returned to second floor, she was startled to find the doors ajar and things were strewn around in the bedroom. With almirahs and cupboards ransacked, she found empty diamond and jewellery boxes lying on the ground. The second bedroom and secret vault in the bathroom had also been
ransacked. The Bhargavas immediately informed the police. The family has lost four gold sets, two diamond sets, four gold chains and two gold bangles, two trinkets and many rings. The loss is estimated to be worth Rs 5 lakh, the police said. In another incident, thieves had decamped with Rs 30,000 and jewellery worth lakhs from the house of a factory manger in
Sector-3, after breaking the locks. According to Sector-20 police station, thieves had full information in both
the thefts.
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Students stump candidates with ‘queer’ issues
New Delhi, October 29 In the first meeting of its kind, held on the campus late last night, candidates for the central panel and the GSCASH were questioned about their views on gender issues and their party’s position on homosexuality. The meeting was at the initiative of
Parvaaz and Anjuman, student collectives on gender. “When we talk of gender issues on the campus, it is either associated with women or sexual harassment.
Parvaaz and Anjuman raise issues prior to harassment. The idea is to create awareness that gender issues go beyond sexual harassment and women”, said Mario D’Penha of
Anjuman. Yesterday’s meeting, explained Ankita of Parvaaz, was “to understand and gauge
the candidates’ views on gender issues, especially homosexuals, lesbians and bisexuals who are part of the campus and are needlessly harassed”. All the invited candidates, five in the fray for the post of JNUSU President and four for
the post in GSCASH, were given four minutes to explain their stand on the issues. Candidates were also questioned about their party’s views. “While the left parties seemed to be tolerant of same sex alliances, the ABVP received a lot of flak for opposing them. The audience questioned the party’s right to oppose the will
of two consenting adults and also raised the issue of awareness that needs to be brought about on the issue”, said a participant in yesterday’s meeting. With the elections to the JNUSU barely a week away, student factions are gearing up to put up a tough fight, based on issues, some of which are predictable and some which cut across geographical boundaries. Yesterday’s meeting was aimed at reiterating the rights of those who seek alternate
sexual preferences. “We expect the union to create a dialogue between men and
women on the campus and understand that there is a need to question the norms handed down to us. The meeting helped us understand how much sensitivity these candidates have towards the ‘queer community’ and whether they would feel the need to question Articles 375, 376 and 377 of the IPC …which we perceive as draconian”, said Ankita. Seeking elections to GSCAH, Maruf Hussain, who was supportive of the initiative taken by Parvaaz and Anjuman, said: “GSCASH should strive to instill confidence in not just men that their problems would be addressed, but should comfort homosexuals, too, that their interests would be protected”.
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Students learn to survive in corporate jungle
New Delhi, October 29 Addressing a seminar, organised by the Fortune Institute of International Business
(FIIB), Mr R. Gopalakrishnan, said the roots of a Japanese bonsai plant are tied to give it a stunted growth. He elaborated by giving an example of crocodile breeding in ocean vis-a-vis a pond, which leads to a decrease in the growth of the crocodile and related both situations to
‘bonsai managers’ who develop a tunnel vision if not exposed to a wider environment. In a collection of 31 stories derived from various sources of nature, Mr Gopalakrishnan touched various topics ranging from survival and growth, cooperation and competition, vulnerability and
nurturing to dedication, teamwork, etc. Speaking on the talk, Dr Reena Ramachandran, Director-General,
FIIB, said that nature has been the biggest teacher for man and storytelling is a time-tested technique of teaching, which has a long-lasting impact. Mr Gopalakrishnan lauded the teaching techniques of the
FIIB. Speaking of competition, Mr Gopalakrishnan said a snail grew more than its normal size in the presence of its predator. It symbolises that the moment there is threat to one’s survival, your instincts and hormonal growth is faster. Thus, a positive attitude to competition can actually lead to faster growth and stronger survival instincts.
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NGO demands CBI probe into toilet scam
New Delhi, October 29 The BHA President, Mr Kunwar Bajranj Singh Tanwar, has alleged that the NDMC had allowed a firm to construct a toilet at Khan Market in 1999 as a pilot project in lieu of advertisement rights on the bathroom walls. “Within a few months nine toilets were awarded to the same company in lieu of advertisements rights in commercial places such as Super Bazar, Connaught Place and Janpath Crossing, without paying any licence fee to the NDMC,” Mr Tanwar alleged. “The advertisement space was taken by companies such as Essar, Airtel, Hutch and Maruti, which were paying Rs 2 lakh a month to the firm. The rights for advertisement were given for seven years without calling for any tender.” Mr Tanwar alleged that the NDMC had since then allotted the same firm 60 to 65 toilets for seven years without charging any licence fee and floating tenders, as is the norm. “The firm is earning about Rs 1.30 crore per month through advertisements that would translate into Rs 100 crore in seven years,” he said. He also alleged that the NDMC had again given the contract to the same company to build a toilet each at Safdarjung Hospital Crossing and Zakir Hussain Marg near Golf Links and without floating any tender or issuing advertisement in newspapers. “We demand that the entire episode be thoroughly inquired by the CBI, so that a big scam can be unearthed,” he said.
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IT research centre opens
Noida, October 29 The centre has been opened by Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) with the cooperation of the Denmark government. Danish Minister of Information Technology Hegel Sander, while formally opening this centre in Noida, said that the government of Denmark will continue to offer its cooperation in the development of Information Technology which will go a long way to further improve the mutual relations between India and Denmark. The experts dwelt on the possibility of qualitative change in the speed of data transfer with the development of fourth generation of Information Technology. The speed of Information Technology of this generation is bound to increase. The speed of local data transfer will increase from two MV per second to one G.B. per second with this generation of Information Technology. The speed of information data transfer will have a qualitative jump up to 150 MV per second. Some 60 to 80 engineers and scientists are expected to work in this research centre. The result of the work being done at this Birla Institute with the collaboration of Denmark will be initially utilised by European countries.
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Shabana to crusade for cause of SOS children
New Delhi, October 29 The first SOS Children’s village of India was established in 1964 at Greenfields, Faridabad. Today, SOS India provides care to more than 20,000 children across country through its 36 SOS Children’s villages and 122 allied projects like kindergartens, schools, youth facilities, social/medical/vocational training centres and directly touches the lives of more than 2,00,000 children. On the 40th year of foundation of SOS India, Mr Helmut Kutin, president SOS-Kinderdorf International said, “I congratulate SOS India on its 40th anniversary and Mr J N Kaul for his continuous efforts in making SOS India a success. I know Mr Kaul’s heart is still beating for every child in need today. On this happy occasion, I will make sure that the Srinagar SOS village becomes a reality. I also congratulate Ms Shabana Azmi on becoming the first official goodwill ambassador for SOS. She is a lady of great standing and her support will be very beneficial for the needy.” Introducing Mrs Shabana Azmi as the first celebrity volunteer for SOS India, Mr J N Kaul said, “I am very happy to have Ms Shabana Azmi as a goodwill ambassador and the first volunteer for ‘Yeh Dosti Zindagi Bhar Ki’. On the occasion of the 40th year celebrations, I am sure that her caring and compassion for the children in need will certainly encourage many more friends to volunteer for SOS India.”
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Paint the town red at Leisure Valley!
Faridabad, October 29 “Spread over about 150 acres, the valley provides a perfect picnic spot to the families, who have been finding Badhkhal Lake and Surajkund insufficient for an ideal hangout,” says Mr Ram Kumar, Deputy Director, public relations department of the Haryana government. According to Mr Kumar, this was one of the Huda projects, where there was no commercial angle. The idea was to provide a smorgasbord of fun and entertainment. The authority has been developing residential and industrial sectors only so far. The valley has a garden villa, a dam to collect rain and natural water, a shopping complex terrace garden, an art and craft museum, an exhibition centre, a fountain garden, a deer park, a children park and waterfall. The land had been lying waste till Mr Vijayender Kumar, a former administrator of Huda here had thought of this concept and decided to give it a shape. Adjacent to it are residential sectors 44 and 47, in which the size of the plot ranges from 500 sq. yards to two kanal-sized plots and all of these have already been booked. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the second Gymkhana Club building built by Huda in the town. While the first such club is located in Sector- 15- A, the second has come up in Sector-21-C. It may be recalled that these clubs whose membership is very costly, are normally available free to the senior government officers posted here. The new club has come up at a cost of Rs 3.10 crore. The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of the building of the new academic block of the YMCA Engineering Institute here. About Rs 2.5 crore will be spent on the construction of this building.
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Drive to replace bad meters
New Delhi, October 29 An NDPL spokesman said that consumers could get details about the scheme by calling 5511 1912 between 9 am and 9 pm or from any NDPL Consumer Care Centers or NDPL District Offices. The scheme closes on November 30. Says NDPL CEO Anil Kumar Sardana: “All cases of tempered metres found after the closure of the scheme shall be dealt with strictly.”
Newspaper and news agency employees today held a demonstration outside Shram Shakti Bhawan to demand re-instatement of 362 employees of the Hindustan Times. The representatives of various unions later submitted a memorandum to the Union Ministry of Labour, seeking early action on their demands. The demonstration was jointly organised by the Delhi Union of Journalists and the Delhi State Newspapers Employees Federation. Some of the demonstrators were detained but released later by the police.
NCERT AGM
The Annual General Meeting and the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was held here today. Chairing the meeting was the Union Minister for HRD, Arjun Singh, and the participants included Minister of Education from various states, Director NCERT, Secretary Education, among others. The meeting addressed the issue of revising the national curriculum framework for the year 2005. Addressing the meeting, Mr Arjun Singh said that the exercise would be undertaken within the constitutional framework and that input from all the states and those received through the NCERT’s soon-to-be launched interactive website would also be considered.
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Housing complex for Group ‘D’ employees
New Delhi, October 29 The NDMC proposes to construct 32 houses for its group ‘D’ employees. s. The complex would cost Rs 133 lakh and would be completed within one year. Extended her greetings on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti, the Chief Minister said that the contribution of Maharishi Valmiki to Hindu religion and culture is unforgettable. The housing complex is a small symbol in the memory of Maharishi Valmiki and a gift to the group ‘D’ employees of the NDMC. She hoped that the project would be completed within the stipulated period. Welcoming the guests, the Chairperson of the NDMC, Mrs Sindhushree Khullar, said that the council had allotted houses to 35 per cent of group ‘D’ employees and hoped that within next two years this figure would touch 50 per cent. Appreciating the work done by the group ‘D’ employees, Mrs Khullar said that they were the backbone of the civic body. The NDMC is extending all possible facilities in their workplaces. She said that the NDMC had launched a cleanliness drive from October 14, which will be concluded on November 7. An awareness campaign to keep the city neat and clean through rallies in various areas will be organised in the first week of next month. The Chief Minister has felicitated 56 employees of the NDMC who had excelled in organising a marathon event on October 3.
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Walkathon: Bridging the generation gap
New Delhi, October 29 Three-year-old Manek and 98-year-old K. K. Bhattacharya were part of the walk titled ‘All Ages One Spirit’ here this morning. Nearly 2,500 Delhi school students marched with their grandparents, residents of old age homes and other senior citizens as part of the Annual School Inter-Generational Walkathon organised by HelpAge India. The walkathon, flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, would be held across the country to spread the message that there can be harmony and understanding between two generations. “The walkathon was organised to bring the two generations closer and spread the message of tolerance, understanding and harmony,” said Nidhi Raj Kapoor, Director, Communication, HelpAge India. The concept of ‘active ageing’ was also sought to be highlighted through this symbolic one-and-a-half kilometre walkathon, she said. This concept lays emphasis on physical activity and spiritual health, she said.
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Students hold Vice-Principal captive
Ghaziabad, October 29 Demanding early elections, over 100 students of Action Committee had gheraoed Dr M. P. Singh. The students were demanding that the dates for elections should be announced. Anand Kumar Gujjar, the students’ leader, said that students will not go to their classes unless the announcement for election date is made. After two hours, agitating students made five teachers, including Dr M. P. Singh, captive. They were pushed into a room, which was bolted from outside. They raised anti-teacher slogans. The police force was called. Twenty-four students were taken into custody and the teachers were allowed to come out. The arrested students were brought to the court of City Magistrate Sarvjeet Ram, where detained students were challaned under sections 107, 116 and 151 of the IPC.
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Nine-year-old electrocuted
Noida, October 29 Sanju, a class-I student of Atta Primary School, was trying to scale a wall to get into the ‘bharat ghar’ when he slipped and fell into the drain where he was electrocuted. A live wire from an electric pole by the side of drain had passed the current into the drain water. Sanju died on the spot. Since there was current in the water, nobody tried to pull him out of the drain. His body was taken out after 40 minutes when the police reached the spot. The parents of the boy Sanju did not hear the pleas of cops to take the body to hospital for autopsy. Sanju was the eldest child of his parents who have a younger son and three daughters.
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Capital might soon have feel
of winter
New Delhi, October 29 Last night’s rain was, however, caused by an easterly trough, a local system whose impact lasted just 48 hours, the weather office said. The day temperature today hovered around 27 degree
Celsius, about four less than normal. However, the minimum temperature registered at 15.2, just one degree below
normal. — TNS
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Birla software development centre launched
Noida, October 29 The centre formally opened by Nescom president Kiran Karnik is expected to provide employment to 700 people. Mr Kiran Karnik said that Nescom is happy to have established links with Birla Group. Nescom will extend every possible help to Birla Soft in solving any problem connected with infrastructure. A unit of Birla Soft has already been functioning in Noida Sector-29 since
1995. — OC
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Lioness Club to focus on woman empowerment
Noida, October 29 The Lioness District 321 A-1, comprising 20 clubs from Noida, Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Rewari, will also focus on the woman empowerment programmes this year, she said. The Lioness lay emphasis on undertaking awareness programmes for the general public, especially for the women. Another important area of their concern is the girl child.
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DVB staff court arrest
New Delhi, October 29
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